Alea Chocolates and Bicol Region's Dependency on the Farming and Agriculture Sector
Bicol's agricultural sector, particularly its cacao and other crops, is vital to the region's economy. The region heavily depends on farming, with many communities relying on agriculture for their livelihood. As a social enterprise founded in 2019 and based in Bicol, Alea Chocolates has a deep-rooted connection to the local farming community. With its own cacao farm and four generations of expertise in cacao farming, Alea is recognized in the region as a leading cacao manufacturer. Alea operates its headquarters, farm, and production facility in Oas, while also running a retail and café shop in Legazpi City. The commercial success of Alea is closely tied to the region’s agricultural sustainability. Recognizing the importance of a resilient agricultural sector, Alea is committed to supporting the recovery and long-term growth of Bicol’s farms, ensuring the region’s agricultural viability and economic stability for generations to come. More information on Alea Chocolates here.
Use of Funds Raised for the Project
The funds raised from this campaign will be allocated into two primary categories:
1. Agriculture (70% of funds): These funds will be used to rebuild and strengthen Bicol’s farms with a focus on long-term resilience and sustainable farming practices. Specifically, the agricultural investment will include:
• Infrastructure development: Establishing irrigation systems, storage units, and shelters for crops to protect them from future typhoons.
• Soil health management: Providing organic fertilizers, implementing crop rotation, and natural pest control techniques.
• Water management systems: Installing rainwater harvesting systems and drip irrigation to reduce the risk of crop loss during dry spells.
• Farmer training: Educating farmers in both traditional and climate-resilient farming methods to improve long-term productivity.
2. Education of Young Scholars (30% of funds): The remaining funds will go toward supporting young business and accounting students from Bicol. These students work part-time at Alea Chocolates as cafe managers, business analysts, accounting assistants, and baristas. The funds will be used for:
• Scholarships and financial assistance: To support students pursuing degrees mainly in business and accounting.
• Skills development: Providing training in entrepreneurship and business management.
• Mentorship: Creating a mentorship program connecting young scholars to professionals in agriculture and business.
Meet the scholars here.
Tangible Interventions for Long-Term Resilience
To ensure long-term resilience in Bicol’s farming community, we will focus on:
• Sustainable farming practices: Implementing organic farming practices, natural pest management, and soil health restoration techniques.
• Water and soil conservation: Installing water-efficient technologies and using soil restoration techniques to ensure that farms can withstand the impact of future typhoons and changing climate conditions.
• Farmer education and capacity building: Offering continuous training in sustainable farming practices and teaching financial literacy to help farmers diversify their income sources and improve their economic resilience.
What is the timeline for the project?
23 Oct 2024
Super Typhoon Kristine/Trami hits the Bicol Region, causing agricultural damage estimated at 2.1 billion PhP (36 million USD). Reference
23 Oct - 9 Nov 2024
Alea Team extends help to affected farms and farmers in Albay from its own CSR funds and resources, though the needs remain overwhelming.
9 Nov 2024
Recognizing the immense damage and the recurring nature of super typhoons that affect Bicol every year, Alea Dev Team begins setting up the Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for the recovery and long-term support of Bicol’s farms. They also offer their technical expertise as part of the campaign’s perks. The key objectives are to make farms more resilient, and improve farmers' economic stability. Alea aims to introduce technology into farming, educate farmers on alternative revenue streams, and emphasize the importance of voting for political candidates who prioritize agricultural and infrastructure development.
16 Nov 2024
Another super typhoon, Pepito/Man-yi, hits the Bicol Region. The region had barely recovered from Super Typhoon Kristine/Trami but was forced to brace for yet another life-threatening typhoon. Impact and Damage Assessment Report
January 2025
Program Implementation begins. The program will focus on immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery strategies for Bicol's agricultural community.
The project will be implemented continuously over five years, with the following key phases:
Year 1: Immediate relief efforts, including farm assessments and the installation of irrigation systems. We will also introduce basic farming techniques to rehabilitate farms quickly after super typhoons, such as soil erosion control, natural pest management, and replanting resilient crop varieties. Farmer training programs will be launched to teach these techniques and prepare for long-term recovery.
Years 2-3: Expanding coverage to additional towns and provinces within Bicol, implementing more advanced farming practices, and enhancing education and business programs for young scholars.
Years 4-5: Consolidating sustainable farming practices, strengthening educational initiatives, and measuring the overall impact and success of the program. We will also adjust the program based on evaluation results to ensure continued growth and resilience in Bicol’s farming communities.
Target Amount for the Campaign and Allocation of Funds
The target amount for this campaign is 100,000,000 JPY (one hundred million Japanese Yen), and it will be distributed as follows:
1. Agriculture (70%): ¥70,000,000 JPY
• Farm infrastructure development: ¥30,000,000 JPY (irrigation systems, shelters, and water management)
• Soil health and fertility management: ¥14,000,000 JPY (organic fertilizers, pest management)
• Farmer training and education: ¥12,000,000 JPY (training sessions and materials)
• Water management systems: ¥14,000,000 JPY (rainwater harvesting systems, drip irrigation)
2. Education (30%): ¥30,000,000 JPY
• Scholarships and financial support: ¥15,000,000 JPY (scholarships for young business/accounting students)
• Training programs and skills development: ¥10,000,000 JPY (entrepreneurship, business management)
• Mentorship and networking opportunities: ¥5,000,000 JPY (connections with industry leaders, mentorship programs)
Theory of Change for the Project
Our theory of change is based on the belief that empowering farmers with knowledge, tools, and support is the key to long-term resilience. The program aims to:
• Inputs: Provide training, tools, seeds, and agricultural support.
• Outputs: More resilient farms, improved agricultural productivity, and business skills development for young scholars.
• Outcomes: Increased economic stability in Bicol through diversified farm income and strengthened communities.
• Impact: Long-term agricultural sustainability in Bicol, improved quality of life, and the creation of a model for other typhoon-prone regions to replicate.
Project Management and Time Commitment for CSR
The project will be managed by Alea Chocolates, led by Founder and President Eileen Kae Relao, and supported by local government units, the Department of Agriculture, and Oas Business Center. The Alea team will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the program, including farmer engagement, training, and monitoring. The project is designed to be a long-term initiative, with an annual cycle to help mitigate the impact of future typhoons. More about Kae here.
Scaling the Project with Additional Funding
If we exceed our target funding, we will:
• Expand the program to additional regions within Bicol and other typhoon-prone provinces.
• Implement smart agriculture technologies, such as drones and sensors, to enhance farm management and increase productivity.
• Build more processing facilities to add value to crops, creating new income streams for farmers.
• Scale up the education component by offering more scholarships and increasing the number of young professionals trained in business, technology and agriculture.
This will allow the program to have a broader and more impactful reach, benefiting more farmers, students, and communities.
Other Ways You Can Help
1. Share the Campaign:
• Help us spread the word! Even if you’re unable to donate, sharing our campaign with your network can bring us closer to our goal.
2. Stay Connected:
• Follow us on social media and stay updated on our efforts. The more people know, the stronger our impact.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aleachocolatesph/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aleachocolatesph/
Website: www.aleachocolates.com/